Effect of low-dose aspirin in combination with stable fish oil on whole blood production of eicosanoids

The effect of a combination of aspirin and fish oil on eicosanoids was stud ied. Four subjects were given 37.5 mg aspirin orally, and 6 weeks later the y received a natural, stable fish oil daily for 1 week before taking the sa me single dose of aspirin. Blood samples for determination of whole blood p roduction of eicosanoids were taken before and after each experimental peri od. Serum thromboxane Aa was decreased by 40% (P < 0.05) after aspirin alon e, but by 62% (P < 0.01) after fish oil + aspirin. Serum prostacyclin (meas ured as 6-keto PGF(1a)) was decreased by aspirin in both cases. The sum of 6-keto PGF(1a) and its equipotent fish oil-derived analogue Delta (17)-6-ke to PGF(1a) was reduced after aspirin intake (55 %, NS), but after fish oil + aspirin the reduction was smaller (33 %, NS). Leukotriene B, was increase d by 19 % (P < 0.05) after aspirin, and decreased by 69 % (P < 0.05) after fish oil + aspirin. A combination of stable fish oil and aspirin thus impro ves the eicosanoid pattern more than aspirin alone. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publi shers Ltd.